PPL-led joint venture discovers gas in Sindh’s Kotri North Block

October 06, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PSX:PPL), as part of the Kotri North Joint Venture, has discovered hydrocarbons from its exploratory well Barki-1, located in District Jamshoro, Sindh Province.

The discovery marks a promising addition to Pakistan’s domestic hydrocarbon resources.

According to the company’s disclosure, the Kotri North Joint Venture comprises United Energy Pakistan Limited (Operator, 50% working interest), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (40%), and Asia Resources Oil Limited (10%).

The exploration well Barki-1 was spudded on July 21, 2025, and drilled to a depth of 3,392 meters to test the hydrocarbon potential of the Late Cretaceous / Early Paleocene Sand formations.

Encouraging wireline logs and drilling data prompted Modular Dynamic Testing (MDT), which confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in the interbedded sandstones of the Pab Formation, a known Late Cretaceous-age reservoir.

Subsequent Completion Integrity Testing (CIT) indicated an initial flow rate of 1.5 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas at a flowing wellhead pressure (FWHP) of 200 psig on a 32/64” choke. After an acid stimulation job, the post-stimulation flow rate improved significantly to 5.5 MMSCFD with FWHP increasing to 460 psig.

The Barki-1 discovery has validated the hydrocarbon potential of the Pab Sands in the Kotri North Block, with similar geological plays in the region currently under evaluation for future drilling opportunities.

Copyright Mettis Link News